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Mary K. Hauser, 78

Mary K. Hauser, 78, of Blackfoot, Idaho passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2014, from Parkinson’s disease. She died peacefully in her sleep, her husband at her side. She would have been 79 in April.
Encompass (of Pocatello) provided excellent hospice care, which includes Susan Barkus, Director; Dr. Travis Nielsen; RN Camie Christensen; Terri Bascom, Home Health Aid; and Miranda “Carmen “ Hedges, Social Worker.
Mary was born April 25, 1935 in Akron, Ohio, youngest daughter of Joe and Teresa Yen. At seven, Mary lost both her parents in separate, tragic deaths. She and her brother Charles were raised by Mary’s older sister, Anna, and her husband Herbert McGovern.
Mary was predeceased by brothers, John and Joe; sister, Anna; and her oldest son, Eric, in 2011.
She is survived by her husband, Ralph of Blackfoot; son, Todd of Seattle, Wash.; brother, Charles (Rose) Yen of Akron, Ohio; granddaughters, Arlee, Shayenne, Emily and Madison, and their mother, Trina Dixon, all currently living in Pocatello; nephews and nieces in Ohio.
Mary and Ralph were high school sweethearts, and were married Jan. 29, 1955 in Akron, Ohio. They were married 59 years Jan. 29, 2014.
Mary graduated from East High School in 1953, and was secretary of the senior class. She attended Akron University, and was a secretary her adult work life. When her husband became a court reporter, she transcribed depositions and court proceedings for him. She attended numerous workshops and seminars in connection with her work at American Potato/Basic American Foods.
Mary’s first job after high school was for Chief Frank Vernotzy of the Akron Fire Department. The firemen all loved her big blue eyes, engaging smile, and sparkling personality. They dubbed her “Fireball Annie.”
Later, she worked at Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in Akron. Ralph was drafted into the Army in 1959 and Mary worked at Tectum Corporation in Columbus, Ohio, where he was stationed for a time. The family moved from Ohio to California in 1965, and she worked on her PHT degree (Putting Hubby Through) at Marcona Corporation, an international mining firm, in San Francisco while Ralph attended court reporting school.
The family moved from California to Idaho in 1970, and Mary subsequently went to work for Joe Rainwater in the research department of then American Potato Company. Mary retired from Basic American Foods in 1999 with more than 20 years’ service.
At the urging of their friends Ron and Susan Jarman, Mary and Ralph learned to downhill ski at Teton Village in Jackson Hole, Wyo. when they were in their early 40’s. She loved skiing and became quite proficient once she and Ralph mastered getting on and off ski lifts gracefully. They skied a number of mountains in the Intermountain West, but Jackson Hole was their favorite.
Mary loved to dance, and was a “life of the party” gal. She overcame a lot of adversity, and possessed an exuberance and zest for life that is rare. Mary, a special angel, has gone home. The world was privileged to have her for a lifetime. God is privileged to have her forever.
A viewing will take place on Monday, March 17, 2014 from 7-9 p.m. at Hawker Funeral Home, 132 South Shilling Avenue in Blackfoot, after which cremation will take place.
Condolences may be sent to the family at condolences@hawkerfuneralhome.com.